Challenge: EDC Something New !GAW FROM TSARBOMBA PG. 5!

[Itsasportsbar]

Hello All!

Interesting thread that for some strange reason I've missed.

I'll give it a go and see if I can only carry one knife instead of two.

The knife I choose is a Colonial Ranger Ultrahoned Stockman. As far as I recall I carried it once and then put it aside due to the backsprings and liners not being flush with each other.
Here's a pic.

It should be an interesting experiment.

Ken K.

 

[Buzzbait]

Today is my last day carrying the Kabar 1152 camp knife for the challenge, and it's been a real pleasure. It's a great knife. The only real problem has been with the can opener, and I did some modification of that tool over the weekend. I took some wet/dry paper, and used it to put an edge bevel on the opener. Can opening is much easier now. Still not good as a Victorinox opener, but a huge improvement over the stock Kabar opener. I think the Vic opener works better, just because you're pushing the opener through the can instead of pulling it. The push stroke is much more efficient. What can I say? The Swiss are darn good at what they do. But here's a quick pic of the can opener modification.

All in all, the 1152 is an awesome knife. I've mostly been carrying GEC knives lately, because I absolutely love the awesome heat treatment of their 1095 carbon steel. So I was a bit worried about hating the Kabar blade, expecting it to be soft with an easily rolled edge. I was pleasantly surprised by the blade. Over the week, I didn't have a single edge roll. In fact, the blade was even a bit of a challenge to sharpen due to the hardness. I'd put it right up there with my GEC blades, which I am more than happy with. Color me impressed by the work that Camillus put into their carbon steel blades.

The Kabar definitely runs on the thick side. 2 fat crinked layers of tools is a lot of thickness in a slipjoint for starters, but it's the scales that make this knife truly chunky. The delrin scales are big and thick. My Remington R-4 camp knife has an extra wood saw layer, yet the Kabar has the same thickness as the R-4, but with one less layer. Most of that thickness is due to the scales. I've been carrying the knife in my back pocket, and I can definitely feel that its there. The scale thickness really shines when you hold the knife though. Your grip locks right into that wide body like a vise, making this model extremely secure from slippage. Perfect for an outdoor knife.

The Kabar 1152 will definitely be staying in my collection. And at this point, I think it will be replacing me Remington R-4 as my primary scout pattern. It's a bit heavy and chunky, but the blade is positively spectacular, the screwdriver has a nice long reach, and awl is great for punching holes and using as an electrical scraper. The can opener now does a serviceable job. I'm betting that the Kabar will get a lot of pocket time as the weather begins to warm, and my outdoor activity level begins to rise.

So what knife is next? I have a couple of GEC 85's arriving in the post today, so they'll be eating up my next week of carry. From there, only fate knows.

 

[ConBon]

Nice mini trapper thedraperyfalls, I think it's a nice supplement to a peanut, with a bit bigger blades but still small. I'd be interested in seeing your collection of trads in the just pics of knives thread.
Old Hunter that 501 certainly looks like it's been used, I noticed the blade has been sharpened a good bit. A solid knife to say the least!

Today some rags were cut, sandpaper sliced into strips, and cardboard cut for stropping my ball peen hammer faces. All for building another knife, which is almost complete.

Connor

 

[Nature Boy]

This has sat unused in my drawer since I got it...

Here's why I got it in the first place: Lacking options, my three year old son and I had stopped at a chain that sells over-priced coffee. I ordered my son a bagel and butter, and was handed a plain toasted bagel, a pat of butter, and a plastic spoon...and told they didn't have knives...

I pulled out my knife to spread the butter, but I was trying out a sheepsfoot #25 at the time. I found the sheepsfoot a bit lacking as a spreading tool. I determined then and there that I needed a cutting tool that could also butter my son's bagels when required (it also turned me off to carrying a solo sheepsfoot). So I bought this...a fancy butter knife!

I have never carried a single Spey blade before. This is also my first time carrying a TC, or any other #15 for that matter. Since I am trying to only carry one knife at a time as well, I am a little worried about the lack of pierce-ability, but am looking forward to the added spread-ability!

 

[TsarBomba]

Do you've pictures of your natural bone trapper?

Why yes, I just so happen to have a couple.



Pile side, with my bonestag doctor's knife:



Tends to get a look any time I'm wearing a shirt with a pocket on a weekend day indoors.

I pulled this Buck 501 out on Friday evening - it's another old favorite that has been neglected for a few years. Carried it Saturday and Sunday, will keep on carrying it all week. I had forgotten how solid it locks up; this is the largest size lock-back I would pocket carry, any bigger and it would have to be in a belt sheath. I used it quite a bit yesterday afternoon while working in the yard.

Nice Buck, OH! Is that Micarta, or just a trick of the light? I imagine you'd need a belt either way to keep the pants up if you slipped that fella into a back pocket. Buck's lockbacks sure do inspire confidence -- my 110 locks up loud and tight and I have no qualms about heavy cutting with it. Good luck with the remainder of your week!

Great idea Tsar your GAW will give a push to using new patterns by the great members of this forum. :thumbup::thumbup:

I hope so, I think Connor's idea is a great one and pushing users out of their comfort zones is sure to give people a deeper appreciation of their users, and perhaps show some of the shortcomings in each of the patterns we normally pair with others. Though I do feel like I wimped out a little using a stockman, I am already noticing the challenges of carrying something not quite in my usual wheelhouse.

The knife I choose is a Colonial Ranger Ultrahoned Stockman. As far as I recall I carried it once and then put it aside due to the backsprings and liners not being flush with each other.

Welcome to the challenge, Ken, and good luck! I have a couple of the Rangers and they seem to be excellent users, even if they don't pass muster under the keen scrutiny of the collectors. The sawcut on yours looks a lot like the black Bucks or Camillus-made green/yellow Remingtons, two of my more favorable Delrin styles. Another medium stockman is being put to the test.

Today is my last day carrying the Kabar 1152 camp knife for the challenge, and it's been a real pleasure. It's a great knife. The only real problem has been with the can opener, and I did some modification of that tool over the weekend. I took some wet/dry paper, and used it to put an edge bevel on the opener. Can opening is much easier now. Still not good as a Victorinox opener, but a huge improvement over the stock Kabar opener. I think the Vic opener works better, just because you're pushing the opener through the can instead of pulling it. The push stroke is much more efficient. What can I say? The Swiss are darn good at what they do. But here's a quick pic of the can opener modification.
All in all, the 1152 is an awesome knife. I've mostly been carrying GEC knives lately, because I absolutely love the awesome heat treatment of their 1095 carbon steel. So I was a bit worried about hating the Kabar blade, expecting it to be soft with an easily rolled edge. I was pleasantly surprised by the blade. Over the week, I didn't have a single edge roll. In fact, the blade was even a bit of a challenge to sharpen due to the hardness. I'd put it right up there with my GEC blades, which I am more than happy with. Color me impressed by the work that Camillus put into their carbon steel blades.
The Kabar definitely runs on the thick side. 2 fat crinked layers of tools is a lot of thickness in a slipjoint for starters, but it's the scales that make this knife truly chunky. The delrin scales are big and thick. My Remington R-4 camp knife has an extra wood saw layer, yet the Kabar has the same thickness as the R-4, but with one less layer. Most of that thickness is due to the scales. I've been carrying the knife in my back pocket, and I can definitely feel that its there. The scale thickness really shines when you hold the knife though. Your grip locks right into that wide body like a vise, making this model extremely secure from slippage. Perfect for an outdoor knife.
The Kabar 1152 will definitely be staying in my collection. And at this point, I think it will be replacing me Remington R-4 as my primary scout pattern. It's a bit heavy and chunky, but the blade is positively spectacular, the screwdriver has a nice long reach, and awl is great for punching holes and using as an electrical scraper. The can opener now does a serviceable job. I'm betting that the Kabar will get a lot of pocket time as the weather begins to warm, and my outdoor activity level begins to rise.

Awesome stuff, Buzzbait! With your new bevel that opener could almost act like a mini-hawk, as another member mentioned in a different thread yesterday. I may have some quiet time to sit down with my old demo knife and some files and improve that design a little. I think the Camillus carbon steel deserves a pretty good reputation; just by opening my box of TL-29s from the WW2 days through the day the factory closed, I see a lot of hardy, useful steel with varying (and fetching) degrees of patina. My oldest one still has a great deal of original blade left and my newest left the factory without ever getting a final sharpening (or even secondary bevel) on the wire stripper blade, but one thing they all share is the ability to act as a hard-use knife. I've personally snapped one of the Camillus demo knife master spears in half (arguments about their stainless should go in another thread ) but the TL-29s are uniformly amazing in transitioning from relatively minor or detailed cuts to hard use -- I can't bust 'em! I have nothing but the highest respect for Camillus's 1095 and I think your Kabar shows why. :thumbup: Good luck in the GAW!

Today some rags were cut, sandpaper sliced into strips, and cardboard cut for stropping my ball peen hammer faces. All for building another knife, which is almost complete.

Awesome stuff. I need to get my workbench together if I am going to start modding some of my knives. What kind of knives do you prefer building?

This has sat unused in my drawer since I got it...
Here's why I got it in the first place: Lacking options, my three year old son and I had stopped at a chain that sells over-priced coffee. I ordered my son a bagel and butter, and was handed a plain toasted bagel, a pat of butter, and a plastic spoon...and told they didn't have knives...
I pulled out my knife to spread the butter, but I was trying out a sheepsfoot #25 at the time. I found the sheepsfoot a bit lacking as a spreading tool. I determined then and there that I needed a cutting tool that could also butter my son's bagels when required (it also turned me off to carrying a solo sheepsfoot). So I bought this...a fancy butter knife!
I have never carried a single Spey blade before. This is also my first time carrying a TC, or any other #15 for that matter. Since I am trying to only carry one knife at a time as well, I am a little worried about the lack of pierce-ability, but am looking forward to the added spread-ability!

Spreading butter/jam/etc. is a great modern use for the full-sized spey blade, and it's why I enjoy carrying my big stockman or a full-sized trapper so much. Frankly, I don't think you lose too much more piercing power than you would with a spear master, and I never ever shy away from my spear Barlows (though I admit I often have a clip or Wharnie somewhere in the vicinity as well ). I appreciate the lines of the Charlow with an open spey, too, it just looks different and cool. You are definitely starting the challenge in Hard Mode, though, but you'll be the go-to guy whenever somebody passes around a jar of preserves. :thumbup:

 

[ConBon]

Tsar, I'm working on an old timer RN for my dad.
The Sentry has reamed, cut sandpaper, scraped epoxy off brass (along with some brass) cut more cardboard, cut open some packging, trimmed my nails, and more today. I haven't sharpened it since I sand blasted the blade a week ago, and it's still very sharp and usable.

Connor

 

[Henry Beige]

For the past week, I have been carrying two knives I don't carry much. On is an alox Farmer that I have carried a little before. The other is a recently-acquired small stockman from RR in armor hide, never carried. I was thinking about making that one my challenge knife, but all I did with it all week was to cut one cigar.

By contrast, the SAK was called on repeatedly. When my grocery-store can openers both failed, I used it to open a can of tomatoes for pasta. I used the screwdriver to align a couple of dimmer switches that had to go behind one switchplate. Then I used the blade to to strip a couple of wires and to scrape a couple of old wires for better contact. I pulled out the awl when a cheap Chinese leather punch couldn't put a hole in my belt. I didn't open any bottles, and I didn't saw anything.

I have several other SAKs that I have almost never carried in thirty or forty years; they usually get stashed somewhere on a motorbike, but I think I will carry this one.

 

[Dr-Mabuse]

Had my last Challenge day with my Greenut yesterday and it was a fitting day. It still managed to surprise one last time, even after a week of carry. I went geocaching with my wife and one of the boxes had become completely frozen into the log it was hidden in. True to the challenge, I whipped out my uber tactical prybar of a knife: the Nut. At first I was afraid I might snap a blade but a challenge is a challenge. No excuses, no turning back. That little bugger sliced and pried through frozen punky wood with style and ease.

Mission accomplished, we headed home and on the last night of the challenge I discovered one thing that knife can't do; I tried cutting up potatoes and the blade was too short to effectively slice them. Normally food prep is no problem. I was delighted to find that english muffins simply required a turn of the wrist, likewise for other tasks. These taters were something else. The main blade couldn't reach the center of the tato and thus they couldn't be sliced in half. I enjoy using my pocket knives as much as possible even/especially in the kitchen, so I'm sorry to say that this peanut can't do everything my big knives can.

The Peanut, for all it's usefulness, efficiency and style is not the perfect knife but it's pretty darn good. It easily won me over and secured a place in my collection forever. :thumbup::thumbup:

Now it is time to put the Greenut aside and take up the Presidential again. SadSappySucker I recall a thread long ago when you had just ordered yours, we discussed this very knife. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1277895-A-brief-overview-of-the-Northwoods-Presidential-This-one-s-for-you-Jim?highlight=presidential

As you can see I've used mine as well. I've pictured it here with it's main competitor for pocket time, my Buckeye Trapper. Since I got the 48 I've more or less abandoned the Presidential. For all it's lovely qualities, there's a few things that started to bug me. Yeah this knife is slim but it doesn't ride in the pocket as well as my heavier, thicker 48. I believe this is because the Pres is smooth and equally balanced so it slides into the bottom of the pocket laying sideways, the 48 on the other hand has a huge mass of metal at the end of the handle, a curving handle and rougher jigging. My 48 tends to sink it's big bolster into the bottom of the pocket and ride standing up. It also has a clip blade, is easily pinchable, and is graced with the profile of the greatest state in the nation. So yeah I'm pretty biased but I'm going to give my Presidential one last chance before it hits the market. Should be interesting.

 

[Bigfattyt]

None that you don't carry? Quite commendable!

No, now that I think about it, there are a few that I have not carried in a long time.

I have a green bone Case Swayback that I have not carried. I have a single blade SAK that I have not put in a pocket in a while, and a few others that have been neglected in the bottom of the rotation.

I will have to break them out.


I did, after reading this thread, swap out my rotation completely, and have twice since then.


But really, I do that frequently. I am OCD about leaving knives behind, so I make swaps regularly.

But in all honestly, part of that OCD involves agonizing about what I'm going to carry. I'll have to fish about and switch out again.

This is a typical pocket dump at work. Though, I am in and out of secure areas, so these get dumped on the desk when I get there.


This is a complete switch up from the week before, and different from the next week, and so on.




Another weeks rotation.





different day, different line up.

 

[Nature Boy]

Today's cutting chores:

New arrivals. Can you guess what they are?

Kid's toy packaging.

Stirred...not shaken

Not pictured: garbage night box breakdown, letter opening, shrink-wrap slicing.

On to level 2...

 

[cchu518]

I've had this 72 on my person almost exclusively the last couple of weeks. I've come to understand that in most cases a knife in this size can almost be your one and only knife if you had to.

I'm going to be the FIRST to admit I'm generally not a carbon steel fan. I don't like the way that it stains, but this little big knife has turned me around and I'll be much more receptive at buying 1095 blades when I'm once again able to! In general I love all the wharnies out there in traditional shapes. I just can't say no to them.

 

[r redden]

Tsar that bone looks great.:thumbup: Thought I'd go again I've had this Hayin' Helper in my pocket since I took the RR Congress out and I love it.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I really am glad I started carrying my buck 110 again.
I got a new knife in the mail, it's a 5$ whitetail deer knife from American mint. ( after ordering 1, I now see them in magazine ads for 10$ )
I'm actually surprised that for 5$ it uses actual bone for the bolster,burlwood for the scales, and comes in a wood-ish box ( it's actually just veneered fiber board ) they're not a bad gift item for a non knife person.
I'm really loving the buck 110 but am wanting to go to the sodbuster Jr ( now that I've got it where I want it ). Since I've neglected carrying it for this long and the only other one I need to carry is the sodbuster Jr, I think I'll just carry it a little longer.
So I guess I'm really only semi participating in this challenge, but I'm fine with that.

 

[Itsasportsbar]

Time for an update on the Colonial Ranger I've been carrying for the past 4 days.

The first task was trimming some rope. The knife wasn't as sharp as I thought it was. I've since given it a better edge.

I've used all of it's blades for various tasks including opening a mailing envelope with this Case Barlow in it.

Obligatory picture.

Have a great day everyone!

Ken K.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I don't have any pics, but today was the first time I've used one of my folders for food ( at Jack in the box I like to mix my nuggets in with my bacon cheddar potato wedges ) and the little bulldog baby saddlehorn did a pretty good job cutting the nuggets into small pieces :thumbup:

 

[ConBon]

I've broken off my usable thumbnail working the joint on my project, so today I need to carry my Mora for use.

I'm quite happy with how things are going for all of you, it's a fun challenge so far.

Connor

 

[cchu518]

So I dont normally edc a pocket knife this big but it makes it a lot easier to get through lunch!

 

[Dr-Mabuse]

Bringing the Presidential Challenge to a close today. I've enjoyed reconnecting with my old knife. The one that first got me into traditionals. Although my enthusiasm has waned a bit from when I first got it, it's still a good knife and I'd be a fool to part with it. My preferences in knives have become more focused, but even as I've changed so has my knife. I've noticed how the patina has made the blade grippy enough that you can pull off a pinch pull on the spear now. The pull has gotten really nice and smooth.
It's time for it to go back in the drawer for now though, two weeks of knife monogamy has just been killing me and I'm eager to try out some new acquisitions. I wish I'd taken more pictures of it this week but here's a shot from today's breakfast.

 

[Nature Boy]

Mostly food prep for the New Day this week, along with the typical mail and box cutting. I will say that food prep is where it really excels, and it's a great blade to "choke up" on for peeling.

Looking forward to weekend activities..,

 

[thedraperyfalls]

Hello!

After carrying the Case Tiny Trapper exclusively for an entire week, here are my thoughts.

1.
It's the epitome of an unobtrusive carry.
The Tiny Trapper fits into my watch pocket with space to spare.
I can even slot a Maratac AAA flashlight alongside it.
The feeling of carrying light is very liberating and enjoyable.

2.
It handled all everyday cutting tasks with aplomb.
Granted, I live the city and I've proper kitchens for food prep.
That aside, the Tiny Trapper is more knife that I need to open packages, boxes and letters.
It has trimmed stray threads, hair and tags.

3.
Having two-blades is incredibly useful.

The spey blade is used for more general and rougher tasks (even mild scrapping!).
We attended a concert a few days back, and were issued those paper wrist-bands.
Those kind which are impossible to tear bare-handed.
After the show, the spey-blade proved handy in cutting them.
And being a spey blade, it was much much safer when cutting it off my girlfriend's wrist!

I kept the clip-point scalpel sharp, and reserved it for precision cuts such as trimming paper printouts.
It was fantastic because it gave me really clean edges, it's even better than an Exacto!


Conclusion
Like Jackknife said in his stories, it isn't about how big the knife is.
It's about how sharp it is, and if it's the right tool for the job (I'm butchering his beautiful prose).

The idea is the same, and rings true for me.
Initially I thought that it might be too small and too finicky.
However, after a week of constant use - I found out that all pre-conceived inadequacies were mine, and not the Tiny Trapper's.

From a practical standpoint, the Tiny Trapper is the perfect EDC knife for the city.
It completely disappears in the pocket, is non-threatening and it handles every task you throw at it with ease.

It's also a beautiful little thing, and I'm looking at it with new found admiration.
I'm keeping this little bugger.

Thank you for initiating this challenge, and I look forward to participating again with another knife.